Switch-throwing mechanism.



H. G. KINSEL.

SWITCH Tnaowme MECHANISM. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 17, 1911.

1,071,641, Patented Aug. 26, 1913.

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WITNESSES INVENTOR COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH CO..WA!HINCITON, DJC.

H. G. KINSEL.

SWITCH THROWING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 17, 1911.

Patented Aug. 26, 1913.

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H. G. KINSEL.

SWITCH THROWING MECHANISM. APPLIOATION IILED 11111317, 1911. 1 071 641 IPatented Aug. 26, 1913.

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COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPII c0.. WASHINGTON. n c.

HARRY G. KINSEL, OF ALTOONA, PENNSYLVANIA.

SWITCH-THEOWING MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 26,1913.

Application filed June 17, 1911. Serial No. 633,868.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY C. KINSEL, a citizen of the United States,residing at Altoona, in the county of Blair and State of Pennsylvania,have invented certain new and useful ImprovementsinSwitch-ThrowingMechanism, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to switch operat: ing mechanism, and theprincipal object of the same is to provide simple means whereby themotorman can readily set the switch point without leaving his car.

A preferred and practical embodiment of the invention is shown in theaccompanying drawings wherein Figure 1 is a diagrammatid top plan Viewof a railway, including a switch and a car, showing the application ofthis invention. Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of the switch pointoperating mechanism and the lamps and circuits therefor. Fig. 3 is a topplan view of the mechanism shown in Fig.2. Fig. 4 is a detail view ofacircuit closing device.

The improved switch operating mechanism may be used in connection withany type of railroad, but has been shown in use on a trolley roadincluding the main track 5, the siding, or branch 6, and the switchpoint 7 at the junction of the main and branch tracks.

A casing 8 is centrally embedded in the main line opposite the switchpoint 7 and has the flat base support 9 for the point operatingmechanism therein. The base 9 has the front and rear standards 10 and 11projecting upwardly from the ends thereof, and the front standard 10 hasa transverse bearing 12 formed thereon adjacent its upper edge.Supporting bars 14 project outwardly from the front standard 10 andsustain the magnet 15 in alinement with the bearing 12. The stem 16 ofthe magnet is slidable through bearing 12 and its rear is also slidablethrough the upper portion of rear standard 11. The major portion of stem16 is cylindrical and its rear portion is preferably rectangular, asindicated at 17 and the inner end of the rectangular portion 16 forms anabutment against which one end of a spring 18 coiled about thecylindrical portion of stem 16 bears, The other end of the spring 18bears against the inner surface of standard 10, and, as will be clear,the spring opposes a movement of the stem toward the magnet and when themagnet is deenergized, forces the stem outwardly relative to the magnet.

A disk 19 is rotatably mounted on the base support 9 and is providedwith peripheral teeth 20 meshing with the teeth of arack 21 slidablymounted in opposite disposed upstanding bearings 22 at the sides of base9. A link 23 has one end pivotally connected to the enlarged or rec- Htangular portion of stem 16, the other end of said link having a stud24: eccentrically pivoted to the disk 19. By this arrangement thelongitudinal movements of stem 16 rotates disk 19 and the rotarymovement of said disk slides the rack 21 transversely across the base 9.One end of the rack 21 is provided with an extension 21 suitablyattached to the switch point 7.

Oppositely disposed stationary contacts 25 and 26 are arranged at therear corners of the base 9, said contacts preferably being carbon stickscarried by suitable holders 27. An arm 28 projects rearwardly from rack21 and carries a circuit closer 29, preferably a stick of carbon adaptedto engage either of the contacts 25 or 26 according to the position ofthe rack 21. The extension 21 of rack 21 carries a laterally projectingarm 30 equipped with a pendent contact 31 adapted for wiping engagementwith a springcontact 32 projecting laterally from base 9.

The current is supplied from the main line 33 with which is associated aswitch 31 and said switch has a circuit connection 35 with the magnet15, the magnet being grounded as indicated at 36. The switch 34: islocated in the path of movement of suitable switch operating mechanismcarried by the car 39 and under the control of the motorman by means ofwhich the switch can be manipulated to energize or deenergize the magnet15. When the magnet 15 is energized, the stem 16 is drawn toward themagnet causing link 23 to rotate disk 19 and the rotation of the latterslides rack 21 transversely across base 9 and thereby operates theswitch point 7.

When the magnet 15 is deenergized the spring 18 projects the stem 16away from the magnet, causing the link 23 to slide in the slot in thedisk 19 to a position, such that upon the next energization of themagnet 15 the switch point 7 is thrown in the opposite direction.

In connection with the foregoing the invention contemplates employingvisible signals for indicating to the motorman the condition of theswitch, said signals being here shown as three lamps G, R, and W, inseries with the main line 33 and mounted in a suitable casing 38 carriedby a post39 or other support. Lamp G has a circuit connection 40 withcontact 25; lamp R has a circuit connection 41 with spring contact 32,and lamp 7 has a circuit connection 42 with contact 26. Contact 31 ofthe rack 21 has a ground connection 43, and the circuit closer 29 is incircuit with said connection 43, as indicated at 44. lVith thisarrangement of circuits in mind, it will be clear that with the parts inthe positions shown in Fig. 3, the lamp W is illuminated, and when theparts are moved to the opposite position by the spring 18, the circuitis closed through contact 25, causing lamp G to be illuminated. Shouldthe closer. 29 stop at a point intermediate of contacts 25 and 26,through accident, or any other cause, contacts 31 and 32 will be inengagement and the lamp R will be illuminated.

The three lamps are preferably colored in accordance with the usualrailroad signals, G designating green, R designating red, and Wdesignating white. As shown when the green light is displayed itindicates that the switch point has been thrown or set, the red light isonly displayed when the switch is open, and obviously indicates danger,and the white light is displayed when the track is clear. Normally theswitch point 7 is in position to keep the car to the main track, and thesignal circuit is closed through contact 25 causing the white light tobe dis,- played. hen a car approaches the switch point 7 and desires totake the branch 6, the

motorman operates the circuit switch 34 to close the circuit through themagnet 15. When the magnet is energized, the rack 21 throws the point 7,as has been explained, breaking the circuit through contact 25 to lampl/V, and closing the circuit through contact 26 t0 lamp G. By thismeans, the motorman can see the change in lights and thereby ascertainthat the point 7 has been properly set.

In addition to the foregoing prominent features of the invention, meansare also provided for locking the disk 19 against movement when themagnet 15 is deenergized, This locking means comprises a threaded bolt45 that is adjustable through the standard 10. The bolt 45is providedwith a longitudinal chamber 46 in which a locking pin 47 is slidable. Aspring 48 in chamber 46 projects pin 47 in position to engage one of theperipheral notches 49 of the disk 19 and thereby normally locks the diskagainst rotation. The bolt 45 being adjustable, it will be clear thatadjustments thereof will regulate the tension of spring 48.

What I claim as my invention is A switch operating device comprising abase support, a solenoid magnet carried thereby, a toothed diskrotatable on said support, a link connection between the stem of themagnet and the disk, a rack slidable over said support and in mesh withthe disk, switch point engaging means carried'by the rack, and a circuitincluding a car-operated switch for energizing the magnet.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in the presence oftwo witnesses.

HARRY C. KIN SEL.

WVitnesses:

N. E. GEE, L. C. HOOVER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. (2.

